What Does a Super Weak Minor Lord in the Sengoku Era Aim For? - Chapter 34

Same Day – Takenouchi Pass – Yamanaka Yuuzaburou

“General, as you predicted, the soldiers at Ryuuouzan Castle are sparse.”

“Thought so…”

I am at a pass about one ri north of Ryuuouzan.
Around me are only Tounai, the former scout captain Sugiyoshi, and the newly added Yasutoyo.
It feels like a group of mountain men sitting around taking a break. 

A short distance away, ten hatamoto warriors led by Tounai are gathered together.

The truth is, I—Yamanaka Yuuzaburou—am supposed to be staying in Nanto overseeing the construction of a castle.
At the actual site, someone with a similar build and atmosphere is standing in as the commander.

In other words, a body double.

If someone were to approach closely, they would realize it isn’t me, but enemy spies can’t get that close.
I also have guards stationed around.

Looking toward the mountainous southern region of Yamato, we have greatly expanded the scout forces, who now move invisibly through the mountains, and renamed them the “Exploration Corps.”

Sugiyoshi and Yasutoyo each lead fifty men.

I would like to increase their numbers even more, but the Exploration Corps is a special forces unit.
Individual aptitude is essential, and it’s not something just anyone can do. 

Training is also necessary, so it’s impossible to expand it suddenly.

Yasutoyo’s family name is Fujibayashi, and he is one of those who moved to Touma Village at Kurozou’s call.

Kurozou is a branch member of the Fujibayashi, who hold power in Iga and Koga.
Many of the fifty men are also from that same clan.

The Yamanaka, Yagyuu, and Matsunaga forces control the town and the highway.
Will Touichi just sit quietly in the mountain castle and watch?

Of course not.
If he has no intention of giving up his territory, he will fight and drive us back.

That is only natural.
Anyone would do the same. 

Otherwise, they would not be able to protect their land.

Then, where will he strike back?
It would be the Yamanaka forces, which have the largest number of troops.
He would first put all his strength into crushing the largest force.

In other words, he would hide soldiers around Touichi Castle and attack from both sides.

There is no other way.

However, the gathering of kokujin warriors has been small because they have been shaken by the circular letters from Koufukuji and Kasuga Taisha.
They are leaning toward waiting and watching.

Already, about a hundred have secretly expressed their willingness to side with me.

The others are likely hesitant to participate as Touichi’s allies.

Which means Touichi does not have enough soldiers gathered.

What will he do?

Most likely, he would reassign the idle forces from Ryuuouzan Castle.

That is what I anticipated.
That is why I took the Exploration Corps into the mountains under the guise of training exercises.

If there were few soldiers at Ryuuouzan Castle, we would attack.
Alternatively, we could burn their supplies and buildings.

Our actions depend on what kind of plan Touichi Enshou has devised.

If the castle has many soldiers, we might do nothing.
Since it depends on the enemy’s situation, we treat it as training.

“If it looks like you can seize it, storm the castle without setting it on fire. Take it over.”

“Understood.”

The two of them dash off like flying squirrels.

“Well then, let us approach the castle ourselves too.”

Running through the mountains like beasts alongside Tounai and the others.
All of them are men hardened in martial arts.

I too am dressed lightly, carrying only a short bow and a wakizashi on my back, just like the others.

My presence here is a secret.
Tounai and I are blending in as mere members of the Exploration Corps.

The roaring sound of the wind is ringing in my ears.
This is just like the ninja games I played when I was a child.

…This is actually kind of fun.

Ryuuouzan Castle – Touichi Enshou

“My lord, a signal from Touichi Castle!”

The distinctive low sound of a kaburaya arrow, “pooooo,” could certainly be heard.
It was the signal for advancing, a sound we had practiced many times for just such situations.

There are also signals for holding position and retreating.

The signal was meant to be fired when Touichi Castle had thinned the enemy numbers enough with archery and decided it was the right time to sortie.
The fact that the signal has been fired means Touichi Castle believes they can win.

“Attack! Draw the Yuuki forces toward us!”

“Attack! Loose the arrows!” 

Heh, the plan we had so carefully devised has finally begun.

Arrows begin raining down on the Yuuki forces stationed in front of the main gate.
Since the enemy is defending with shields and bundles of bamboo, the effect is limited.

However, the goal is simply to draw the Yuuki forces toward us.
It is enough if we can keep them occupied until the Yamanaka forces are annihilated.

“The forces from Tenjin Mountain are on the move!”

From the south, a cloud of dust rises as 400 hidden soldiers close in on Yamanaka’s main forces.
It also appears that troops from Touichi Castle have charged out and are scattering the enemy before the main gate.

“Wahaha, the enemy must have been shocked by our three-ken-long bamboo spears…”

“Indeed, the longer ones win. Even Akatora’s bamboo spear unit can do nothing but flee now.”

Yamanaka’s bamboo spear unit is gaining a reputation for being unstoppable wherever they go.
At Kizugou, they crushed the swarming enemies in a single thrust and seized control.

However, the key point is simply that being longer than the opponent’s spears gives the advantage.

In that case, all one needs to do is prepare even longer spears.
It’s a very simple matter.

“Moriya Castle has fallen. The castle troops are fleeing toward us…”

“It was a little faster than expected, but they fulfilled their role of drawing in the Yagyu forces. It is about the right time…”

“I can see the Sawa forces approaching. They are almost at Tenjin Mountain.”

“Soon, it will be the end for Yamanaka’s forces too.”

“…Hmm, the Yagyu forces are advancing westward. Looks like they intend to intercept the Sawa forces.”

“Yes, it seems Moriya Castle fell too quickly…”

“The Yuuki forces’ attacks are becoming fiercer.”

“Hmm, perhaps they have sensed our intentions…”

“No, they have probably noticed that our numbers are few…”

“Either way, it does not matter. Everyone, strengthen the defenses!”

“Guard the gate! Do not let the Yuuki forces through!”

The soldiers who had been waiting in the upper enclosure came down and took positions to defend the gate.
The Yuuki forces are advancing on the gate, pushing forward with shields and bundles of bamboo.

There are barricades made of brushwood set up in front of the gate, but the enemy numbers five hundred.
The brushwood barricades will not buy much time against such a force…

Even if they cross the gate, we can defend at the next enclosure, but with fewer than two hundred soldiers, it is clear that we will gradually be overwhelmed.

If the Yamanaka forces attacking Toichi Castle are driven back, the Toichi troops will come here.
If that happens, the Yuuki forces will also retreat. 

We just have to endure until then.

“The Tenjin Mountain forces are being pushed back! Even the castle troops are being driven back!”

“Hmm… mmm… mmmmmm…”

Why?
What is happening?

We should have had longer spears than the enemy, we should have been attacking from front and rear, and we should have had superior numbers.

There is no reason we should lose…

“It seems the Yamanaka forces have entered the castle. Toichi Castle has fallen!!”

“Why!”

“My lord, we must ascend to the main castle. We must prepare to hold out.”

“Mm…”

“This is terrible!! The flag… the Yamanaka flag…”

“What is it? Speak clearly!”

“Yamanaka’s detached force has occupied Ryuuouzan Castle…”

………How could this happen.
All strength drains from my body at once.

My mind goes blank, and I cannot think of anything…

At the same time, Moriya Castle – Yagyu Muneyoshi

“Reinforcements from the south, from Toichi, are closing in on the Yamanaka forces!”

“Good, we shall confront them. Quickly, move out!”

“Yes, sir!”

“Furuichi-dono, please hold this place.”

“Understood.”

We have only a few wounded.
As Moriya Castle had very few defenders.

The enemy concentrated their forces around Toichi Castle to destroy the Yamanaka main force.
Most likely, the troops from Ryuouzan Castle were also drawn there.

When the ambush forces from Tenjin Mountain Castle initially moved, it seemed that the Yamanaka forces were being pushed back, but that quickly settled down.
Now, they are pushing back. 

We must not add any more reinforcements to this situation.

The lead cavalry unit has approached the enemy’s reinforcements, and soon after, the infantry are catching up with the cavalry.

We still have plenty of strength left.
We haven’t really fought a proper battle today. 

The enemy has also stopped moving and is forming a defensive line against us.

“The enemy consists of 300, the Sawata forces!”

Hmm, as expected, it’s one of the three generals of Uda, Sawata Jin’emon.
He is closely tied to Toichi, neighboring Shikijou District. 

Having been pushed by Akiyama, he must have accepted Toichi’s aid and could not refuse reinforcements.

“Alright, once the formation is complete, we will attack. Cavalry, disrupt them when an opportunity arises.”

“Toichi Castle has fallen!!”

The white Yamanaka flag was raised at Toichi Castle.
They had repelled the encirclement and Yamanaka forces captured the castle.

Impressive.
We cannot afford to lose.

“Advance!!”

“Ha!”

Slowly, our forces move forward.
The soldiers are eager, ready for action. 

We can do this!

Hmm, the enemy is facing the wrong direction, seemingly stunned.
What is going on?

“My lord, the Yamanaka flag has been raised at Ryuouzan Castle.”

“What?!?”

Indeed, the white Yamanaka flag is flying atop Ryuouzan.

The advance comes to a halt.
The soldiers are all turning around.

It seems that Yamanaka’s separate unit has moved…

“A messenger from the Sawata forces is approaching.”

The Sawata forces split, and a mounted officer approaches us.

“I am Sawata Jin’emon. I would like an audience with Lord Yagyu.”

So the enemy general has come.
He seems younger than I expected, with a strong, noble appearance.

“I am Yagyu Muneyoshi.”

“Sawata owed a debt of gratitude to Toichi for their help, so I sent reinforcements. However, with both Toichi Castle and Ryuouzan Castle having fallen, Sawata will now follow Lord Yagyu.”

“I accept.”

Incredibly, without a battle, Sawata has surrendered…